Cleaning tool and method
A downhole cleaning tool ( 40 ) adapted for location in bore-lining tubing ( 22 ). The tool ( 40 ) comprises a tubular body ( 42 ) defining an internal bore ( 48 ), at least one radially extending cleaning blade ( 92 ), and an external axially extending bypass flute ( 96, 98, 100, 102 ). The body further defines a fluid flow path from the internal bore ( 48 ) to at least one elongated jetting slot ( 94 ) extending along an outer surface of the blade ( 92 ).
1 . A tool for cleaning a downhole tubing, the tool comprising:
a tubular body defining an internal bore,
at least one radially extending blade, and
an external axially extending bypass flute, the tubular body further defining a fluid flow path from the internal bore to at least one elongated jetting slot extending along an outer surface of the blade, whereby when cleaning fluid is pumped through the fluid flow path the at least one elongated jetting slot generates and directs a surface cleaning fluid jet with an elongated cross section from the outer surface of the blade to an impact zone on an opposing surface of the downhole tubing, and wherein the cleaning fluid flows away from the impact zone along the opposing surface of the downhole tubing and through a gap between the outer surface of the blade and the opposing surface of the downhole tubing.
2 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongated jetting slot is provided in a first blade with a first radial extent and the tubular body further defines a second blade with a second radial extent greater than the first radial extent.
3 . The tool of claim 2 , wherein the first blade is axially spaced from the second blade.
4 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongated jetting slot extends circumferentially around the tubular body.
5 . The tool of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of jetting slots.
6 . The tool of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of jetting slots, and wherein each jetting slot is associated with a respective blade.
7 . The tool of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of jetting slots, each jetting slot extending part circumferentially around the tubular body, and wherein the slots collectively provide full circumferential coverage around the tubular body.
8 . The tool of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of bypass flutes.
9 . The tool of claim 1 , including a valve having a first configuration in which the fluid flow path is closed and a second configuration in which the fluid flow path is open.
10 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow path comprises flow ports in the tubular body in communication with the internal bore.
11 . The tool of claim 10 , wherein an internal sleeve initially closes the flow ports and axial displacement of the internal sleeve opens the flow ports.
12 . The tool of claim 1 , comprising a flow restriction configured to occlude the internal bore at least partially such that fluid passing into the tool is directed along the fluid flow path and out of the at least one elongated jetting slot.
13 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tubular body comprises a primary body member and an external sleeve, and the blade and the at least one elongated jetting slot are formed by the external sleeve.
14 . The tool of claim 13 , further comprising a manifold disposed between the primary body member and the external sleeve, the manifold providing fluid communication between a plurality of flow ports in the primary body member and a plurality of spaced jetting slots formed in the external sleeve.